History of C-Functions
A staple of MIT Sloan student life: weekly C-Functions most likely started in the mid-1970s. Back in those days, graduate students and faculty members gathered informally to unwind in the late afternoon at the end of the week in the lobby of E52. In the mid-1990s, a C-Function was students, their families, faculty, and staff congregating for a few hours over a couple of kegs—it was a big week when they ordered a more exotic beer than Budweiser. Food was potato chips and pretzels. The “C” in C-Function originally stood for “consumption.” Later, when MIT tightened its alcoholic beverage policy, the “C” was changed to “cultural” (No alcohol allowed unless it was a cultural event.)
Sometime in the late 1990s, when the MBA class got too big for the E52 lobby, the event moved to the Walker Memorial building. But Walker used to be a full dining hall, so functions there had to be held after hours, at 8pm. With the time change, faculty stopped attending. In recent years, C-functions have become more elaborate, but continue most Thursdays in Walker. Popular culture club themes have included Japanese, Brazilian, Chinese, Korean, Latin American, and Indian. Today, other themes include GLBT, sustainability, New England, Texas, SWIM, etc. C-Function themes might change over the years, but two elements always present are the drinks and the dancing!